Posted By thecook on May 8th, 2013
Sharing is caring, so let me share my new obsession with you.
I am completely addicted to P P …..No, not Pinterest, PICMONKEY!
I thought I would share this website because it’s not just an editing program, it’s a wonderful tool for those who run their own business or love scrapping and photography.
From designing your own website, enhancing your Facebook pages, to simply getting creative and doing ALL of your invites, invitations and announcements.
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Posted By thecook on May 7th, 2013
Mother’s day printable card from the gorgeous http://www.pumpkinsandposies.com/. Go to free printables.
My suggested Mother’s Day lunch for you is a simple soup (but one of my favourites), an unpretentious but unbelievably flavourful baked chicken dish and an easy (make-the-day-before) sweet and luscious Lemon Posset (like the velvet middle of a lemon meringue). The Posset and the soup are featured on my blog and the chicken is from an old course but still a favourite according to the COOK clan..Actually it’s just what I feel like for lunch!
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Posted By thecook on May 4th, 2013
Ok seriously. Cream cheese icing is more complex than a car engine. I have always made my version of a cream cheese icing for my cupcakes but I wanted a recipe without butter to top the carrot cakes for my recent course.
So I used the recipe everyone uses. Right? It’s on every blog, every Pinterest recipe and featured in Rachel Allen’s books . It’s just cream cheese and icing sugar. So why did I make gloop at every attempt?
Yes I only used Philadelphia, Hulett’s icing sugar and my kitchen Aid. And yes I was sober at every attempt.
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Posted By thecook on April 29th, 2013
I never post other people’s posts or pics on my blog but I had to share this party arranged by our family photographer (Amanda Azor photography) for her son’s first birthday. I love the detail especially the Iwisa no 1 good bags!
Posted By thecook on April 28th, 2013
HAVE YOU HAD A PEAK AT THE NEW CRAFT AND TABLE STYLING PAGE? Fabulous inspiration for parties and a great reference for your course notes.
Posted By thecook on April 26th, 2013
COOK Recipe File owners can now download the latest course notes, Birthdays and Book clubs (with an improved cream cheese icing recipe) and reference the craft notes with pictures of the animal parade party (posted on the Craft and Table styling page).
Posted By thecook on April 11th, 2013
I Love this method of cooking a whole chicken, though I never include it in a course as its impractical to both cook and serve several whole birds in one lesson, which is a pity because you would be more inclined to cook it after tasting it!
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Posted By thecook on April 7th, 2013
I always host birthday parties at home. Child- friendly venues with wonderful food, AND service AND decor AND reasonable prices or value for money are really hard to come by and I refuse to pay hiring fees for a party venue only to have to do most of the work anyway. Birthdays are also special and child friendly establishments have lost their touch to the commercial rat race.
Unfortunately we have painters in our home and my dining room table is filled with a COOK craft theme and I really did not want to have a party at home this month. I spent 3 weeks searching for a venue and almost gave up until one morning my mother-in-law took me to breakfast at a little coffee shop called Cherry on top in Krugersdorp ( I mean who goes there-ok besides to the wonderful Anna Paulas) and I made a reservation immediately.
The coffee shop is in Kenmare, Krugersdorp a 20 minute drive from Eagle Canyon and is situated in a lush garden of a beautiful colonial style home with little rooms and venues around every magical corner. In fact when we were there for breakfast a morning wedding took place with the ceremony under a large oak tree. Dog’s roam the garden, bird houses and hearts hang from every tree and the kids get lost in garden and insect adventures.
Don’t mail the venue they are slow to respond electronically, I was initially frustrated but eventually it dawned on me that the staff and owner do things the old fashioned way, on the phone, with a pen and on their word and they deliver. You do not have to follow up or double check. For the first time in my controlled life I did nothing for my party and I could not fault a thing.
Read on to see the beautiful venue and then go to http://www.cherry-on-top.co.za/ or phone Loukie on 082 820 6095 and book your birthday, baby shower, wedding or bridal tea.
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Posted By thecook on April 1st, 2013
I made my favourite sponge cake for my baby’s first birthday as her party is only next week. http://www.cookstudio.co.za/my-favourite-sponge-cake/
Much better than chocolate or vanilla…
Posted By thecook on March 31st, 2013
For those who have purchased a file and know the password, these illustrated recipes are ready to download. All three salads are absolutely delicious and include an autumn salad with fresh figs and goats cheese, a roasted baby aubergine salad with pistachio dukkah and a butternut and sweet potato salad with a sweet curried dressing and toasted pine nuts
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